Report: Texans Owner Cal McNair 'Pretty Involved' in Debate over QB or Edge at No. 2

Houston Texans owner Cal McNair has been "pretty involved" in the team's discussions regarding what to do with the No. 2 selection in the 2023 NFL draft on Thursday, according to The MMQB's Albert Breer.

Quarterback and edge-rusher are the two positions under consideration, and Breer reported the team "has been legitimately torn this week" about which way to go.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that "literally no one" aside from Texans general manager Nick Caserio and head coach DeMeco Ryans knew of Houston's plans for the second pick:

For much of the predraft process, the general belief was that the Texans would take a quarterback. They clearly need a long-term upgrade over Davis Mills, and they can land one of the top signal-callers on the board by standing pat at No. 2.

The expectations for Houston have shifted over the last couple of weeks.

The Athletic's Dane Brugler reported April 17 the team's coaching staff hadn't reached a consensus on a quarterback who warranted being the second pick. On Monday, Todd McShay of ESPN reported, "It really sounds like the Texans will pass on the quarterbacks, which goes against everything we've thought for months."

KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson reported Thursday the Texans are likely to pass on C.J. Stroud and look at a defensive player with their first pick. He added they aren't expected to select Kentucky's Will Levis or Florida's Anthony Richardson either.

With the draft just hours away, however, ESPN's Ed Werder reported there's a "growing sense" around the NFL that Houston could go with a quarterback after all.

We won't know for years how well the Texans made out from the 2023 draft. For now, they at least deserve some sort of award for managing to keep their plans hidden from anybody outside their offices.